@VeryHappy, exactly. I never dreamed I’d be so miserable in this job. I’m just fortunate that I am at retirement age.
My H is past retirement age and continues to work. He’s a partner in a development firm that he started with two others, who are also at or beyond retirement age. Those two partners have slowly backed down from the work, while H remains active. He loves what he does and he’s very good at it and makes $$$. It’s hard for him to give it up. That being said, he’s really disgruntled with a current project and is thinking about backing down and leaving it to younger people. He’s said that before, but has never acted on it. I’ll be interested in seeing if he does back off this time.
@VaBluebird -in a similar situation. the downhill course started Dec2012, accelerated May2014. It is the situation not me. All employees are suffering. Too close to retirement to charge course. Making a lot of fun plans/ ideas to keep me going. Over all my life is very good.
There are many times that I think the American workplace is becoming incredibly stressful and unfulfilling. Often I say I don’t mind anything I do at work, (and love a lot of it) but really mind having to do so many tasks simultaneously. How many of us who feel our stress level is through the roof are working in health care? (raising hand) I have 5 years to go, or so. Not that I mind working, as I also like the chance to engage my mind in problem solving and talk with such a wide variety of people every day. But there are other venues that would provide this reward with less stress, if less money. In the next few weeks I am facing a major computer software change, and am dreading the process. Wish I could just escape now!
Bookworm I very much understand. I know a lot of people, but to find that person who shares values and economic travel priorities is rare. I travel because I have people to visit in interesting places, but out of that zone, not so easy to find a companion. CC singles trip? Not that I’d want to exclude anyone!
Re: "In the next few weeks I am facing a major computer software change, "
I too do not like computer software change, even though supposedly I have been dealing with computers for many decades and should not be so afraid of it. (But I still do.)
I actually postponed the upgrade of my own computer, just to avoid the additional hassle.
Then, never had I expected that I had to set up yet another computer (and it had to be a Linux OS computer, not Windows 7 computer) for our group to use for some special purpose application (the inherited code only runs on that platform and it is not practical to port the code) starting the end of the last week, just because my manager thought that, relatively speaking, this “old dog” still know more about Linux than most other members (After all…I was graduated from a UC a long time ago, where Unix was the only computer system that we were exposed to and learned back in those years.)
But I am really not a computer desktop side or server side admin guy. I don’t like to do any computer setup, software installation, if I can get away from it. Too much new thing (MongoDB? what the heck it is!) needs to be picked up in a short time. A wiz kid from the young generation should be assigned to carry out this kind of task that requires a lot of new knowledge (e.g., the “big data”) in THEIR generation.
I think Great Lakes Mom is talking about a change in the health care industry that is universal, not just her computer (ICD9 --> ICD10). Basically, all the codes that are used for every unique diagnosis are changing. It’s one of the several reasons my S2 left the health care software industry – he didn’t want to have to deal with the change.
I had always planned on early retirement, thinking I would wind down in my late 50s, but 2008 shook me up. Since the market came back, I can afford to retire, but my job is more interesting lately, and the economy questionable. At 64, I am thinking about going to 68. Things change and change again.
Another health care worker here finding the pace of changes in the industry insanely challenging.
I want to get to 62 (three more yrs) but not sure I can. The stress is horrible at times.
Will have pension and health coverage with reduced SS, so it makes sense to wait till then.
I’m also heavily involved in software upgrades for my group and as others have said, this can make work very interesting. I do bless the day I chose not to move FT into IT a few years back, that group lives on a very fast roller coaster.
My particular issue is due to a hospital merger, making the way we previously used Epic change to a totally new system that is less effectual. If nothing else, I’m proud of my employer and co workers as they previously existed. Smart group of people. The way we did things previously was well thought out. For the future, not so confident.
VH, I didn’t know about the code change, or that that was part of the reason he left!
Yes, many in the healthcare field are getting increasingly frustrated by the coding and paperwork requirements, as well as reduced reimbursement. My relatiaves handle this by being part of a group that handles all the administrative stuff, including the computers and software. The morale with a lot of the medical practices is pretty low, so I’m very glad I only have to peripherally know them.
I started my nonprofit in 2007 and so far it continues to meet an unmet need. I will keep running it as long as it’s enjoyable. I run it out of my home, so it doesn’t require that much overhead and is mostly a hobby where I can give back to the community.
my is the medical agency I work for where you feel that you are not in control of your day or workload at all- the screws are so tight for numbers, very high demand, and with very high scrutiny. strategy as requested on the thread question- do the best I can and try to prevent burnout with exercise and doing things I feel in control of for fun.
Another medical company here. We’re fully trained and ready for icd10 but it seems to me to be an unnecessary change when it’s still fine to use unspecified. Plus we got the letter from Medicare telling us they’ll give everyone a year before they start denying codes.
But I will say when we heard the changes were coming and the government actually told us to get a line of credit to get is through the transition and we were up for renewal of our accreditation and competitive bid …all at one time…if I had a buyer I would have sold. Once we reaccredited I committed for 3 more years.
I’m going to work for a long time. Not full time…not even really full time now, I’m self employed and work 60 hours some weeks, 20 some others. I think I’d be bored with no professional life at all. That said I have a long reading list going for when I retire.
Here’s what I have to say:
Whether you have a plan to retire at some point or really don’t see yourself retiring - take that “to do” list and start doing it - one thing at a time if that’s all you can accommodate - there are no guarantees that you’ll have the capacity to do those things when retirement time comes - but if they are of interest now, don’t put them off.
That’s how I feel. 
I hear too many people say, “when I retire I’ll start exercising more regularly”. “When I retire, I’m going to read all those books I want” - if you can’t find a little time to read now, maybe you need to evaluate the life you ARE living now -while working - and figure out how to blend the advantages of “retirement” into your daily routine NOW.
Abasket, amen, amen, amen. Both DH’s mom and mine were bedridden by their mid-60s and never got to enjoy fun things in retirement (and our dads, by extension). If you want to travel, DO IT NOW. After my health issues, we have decided that we’re traveling now while we are both in good enough health to enjoy it. I don’t want to have regrets later.
There might be a meetup or club near you that has more inexpensive trips. Some work groups rent boats together, if you sail maybe find a local sailing club, etc.
National parks have lots of ranger led hikes, ski resorts have free tours, so if you are stuck somewhere alone, you can find friends. The biggest trick is travel is to be more friendly than at home and maybe pick a homebase where you can stay and maybe eat more than once. Bed and breakfasts are also pretty friendly for single travelers and typically have smaller cheaper rooms for them.
And, to whoever was talking about their son being a perfect companion, really try to take a trip together now that he is an adult. I did a few trips with my parents in my mid 20s and we had a great time and learned more about each other as adults.
Ideally travel is for folks who can walk for miles and explore cities or the countryside in good health, so yes, travel now, especially to more exotic places with imperfect health care, you don’t want to go there with a chronic disease.
However, there are other ways to travel when you are older, from bus trips (educational if you want that) to cruises to just taking the big red bus around the city to see the sights and then taking cabs and public transport between a few key places. You don’t have to be 100% to enjoy people-watching or sitting in Paris at a cafe.
And, if you go to just a carryon, the fuss of leaving your house goes way down (And note there is a target or similar in almost every place, so if you forget something, the world won’t end). The cost of local hotels is often higher than in a tourist area somewhere else in US or the world, especially if it is not peak season there, and it will be more exotic. Being away from the ordinary is very good for you, really deep relaxation and enjoyment.
I think all jobs are getting more stressful with everyone trying to wring out max productivity out of all their employees, seems almost worse if you are pegged as someone who gets things done. And people aren’t very nice or professional, I think some people view everyone as competition to beat.
@“great lakes mom” maybe go visit those friends and head out a few days on your own from there, just to try it out. And, spread the word, a friend of a friend may know someone that might want to join you and you can work on economics and niceties if you get along (maybe somewhere in the middle would suit you both fine).
Well, I am one of those who was involuntarily retired as of yesterday. I was not shocked, but still surprised. Not shocked as I only worked 30 hours per week, and after 28 years was paid a nice salary and full benefits…but I haven’t been doing a lot in my job the last few years, and they did a 15% staff reduction in my department. I’m sure I was at the top of the list. The only compensation since it was a downsizing is that I received 31 weeks of severance. The thing I hate the most is the loss of insurance, employees only paid about 25% of the premiums. Cobra family is $1918 per month, and add dental of $ 141. DH is considered self employed, so no subsidy. So, we are hit with my loss of income and insurance.
DH makes a nice salary and said I could do whatever I wanted…if I didn’t want to work anymore, that was OK. He suggested I take some time and think about what I want to do, and if I decide to go back to work, find something that would be fulfilling and completely different…anything, any hours, what a great guy. We had a drink ladt night and he toasted my retirement, but I didn’t feel the joy.
I really wish this had happened 4 years from now at age 60… That was my plan. And I’m so thankful we saved for college for the kids. But I have 3 more years of house payments and 4 more years to pay off our vehicles. I just wanted all these expenses over before.
I haven’t been happy at work in awhile, so not looking at grey cubicle walls doesn’t upset me…but how ironic that after the last kid leaves…now I’m at home all day.
I haven’t had an extended break from work since birth of ladt child almost 19 years ago, so I think I will take some time off…but I know not being active or have a purpose for the day will drive me crazy. I might start out by going to a school and volunteering my time as a room helper, or working in the office. So many options.
Wow, @conmama, both congratulations and condolences. I’ve been in the same position and i understand how wanting just those few more years that you may not get can be frustrating.
However, consider this an opportunity. What spurred me to make lemonade out of my situation was the two questions I asked myself: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” And, “If not now, when?” The answers to those questions spurred me to contact a few people and ask specifically for an opportunity to try something that they could help me with. Four years later, I’m earning money at it and loving it.
I recommend you take a bit of time to relax, unwind, enjoy and figure out what you want to do. And then, go for it.
Sorry for the layoff, conmama, but you are still young and clearly experienced in your field. Hopefully there will be other opportunities and you can collect a new paycheck and severence.